Travel: #MyDubai Experience Part Two! #DubaiFAMTrip2017

Yes I am still at it, sharing #MyDubai experience with y’all. I had the time of my life there and it’s all worth sharing. If you missed part one of #MyDubai experience, you can click HERE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consist of 7 different emirates;

1. Abu Dhabi
2. Dubai
3. Sharjah
4. Ajman
5. Fujairah
6. Ras Al Khaimah
7. Umm Al Quwain

The country belongs to the region known as the Middle East. We were mainly in Dubai, which happens to be the 2^nd largest emirate. The number one spot belongs to Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi owns much more oil and its oil resources are supposed to last longer than those of Dubai. All other emirates have a more rural structure and do not possess any big oil resources or tourist attractions, therefore they are dependent on the financial support of Abu Dhabi. Featured On CTInsider

Dubai started as a small fishing village until it was taken over by the Bani Yas tribe in 1830. From then on, the time of commerce started and Dubai possessed one of the biggest Souks in the whole of Middle East. I spoke about the Souks HERE.

We visited Dubai Mall, the biggest mall in the world. Dubai Mall has 1200 shops. I couldn’t believe it. Can you imagine 1200 shops under one roof? Massive!

One of the coolest moments was the time we went up into the Burj Khalifa building formerly known as Burj Dubai. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. It has a total height of 829.8m and a roof height (excluding antenna) of 828m and it has 163 floors above ground.

It was such an experience viewing the world from the top. If you are scare of heights, please don’t look down or stand near the windows.

We went as far as level 124 and it was a WOW moment for some of us.

Everything in there looked top notch – from the floors to the walls to the ceiling. There is absolutely nothing ordinary about that place.

And those powerful words!!

The place was really busy and packed. It is indeed a tourist attraction. I got a bit thrown off and uncomfortable when other tourists asked to take pictures with me. I am a very private person, shy and I don’t trust easily so I was shocked when I was approached on some; ‘Can I please take a picture with you?’ all this coming from people I’ve never met. Lol, maybe that Jackson blood in me popped out and they thought I was a celebrity because there is no other way what happened made any sense to me at all. With that said, I agreed to pose. Hopefully my pics are not somewhere pasted in a museum in a country I’ve never heard of, with captions I wouldn’t approve of. None of them asked for my name so what are they going to call me? Hahahaha

The Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is another dream. All types of sea creatures you find here. I saw Sharks, Penguins, Crabs, 83year old Crocodile still breathing and making babies, and fish I have never seen in my life – not even National Geographic has shown us that.

It is definitely a paradise for kids and animal lovers. The pain I was in while posing on top of this crocodile? Those spiky things didn’t want me to shine.

Social House Restaurant gave me the best Pasta and that Passion Fruit and Lime beverage was oh so refreshing. If you find yourself somewhere near Dubai Mall, make sure you don’t leave without tasting something from Social House. I was in awe. Not only is their food yummy. The view is beyond amazing. The Burj Khalifa building is right there. Who wouldn’t want to see that view every chance they get?

Another paradise for kids is the Dubai Parks & Resorts. Next time I am taking my daughter with me.

The theme parks there are everything kids need. There is Legoland, Riverland, Bollywood and of course my favourite – Motiongate.

Bollywood also stole me with the art. So dramatic and catchy.

You take your child to Motiongate and they will love you forever.

This is a Hollywood themed park that opened in December 2016 and showcases themed areas/attractions based on Dream Works, Colombia Pictures, Lionsgate and The Smurfs.

The best place to stay in that area is Lapita Hotel. What a beautiful something. This hotel gives you all the views you need. They have the best of the best. Their pool, their food, their suites….Lord have mercy!

They also have a kids area in case you need a break from the kids and want to explore as adults. They will host your kids for free for the first 3hours. Great one!

All suites have a balcony, you can just chill and enjoy the views from all angles.

Amazing! Very inviting and so on point.

Lapita Hotel made me eat like a pig. That’s how good their food was. They had EVERYTHING. I ate one plate after another got very full with no room for dessert which by the way was also something else.

There was a fountain of hot brown and white chocolate. One more week at that place I would have gained a lot of weight. Yhuuuuu! Thank you to Lapita Hotel staff for taking care of us and to the Marketing Communications and Public Relations Manager, Yasmin Collins for that special tour.

Here are a few tips I can share with you from #MyDubai experience:

• Pack comfortable shoes for all the walking. There is a lot to see and you’ll be forced to walk.
• Avoid going there during summer. The best time to visit is between November and April. Do not even think of visiting around June, July and August. You will melt.
• Leave your diet routine at the airport when you land. The food is too yummy to be ignored. You will eat and eat and eat.

I was looking forward to visiting the Global Village which I hear is an experience of different cultures including ours (African). I was also told that one needs a full day there and that got me even more eager and curious to know more and want to experience it. Hopefully next time I will get that chance.

Dubai gives you everything. It gives you Culture, Beach Life, Shopping, the Great Outdoors, Business, Events, Food, Family time and a lot of Activities and memories. Oh, it also gives you the smell of money. You get to certain places and you suddenly feel rich all because you are surrounded by the rich and powerful. So inspiring!

We had an amazing time, but all good things come to an end so it was time to say goodbye to #MyDubai. Airport vibes with Sharon Preston, Susan Wong and Mac Otani from Kenya. Thank you guys for being such good company. It was a pleasure exploring Dubai with y’all.

Thank you so much to Dubai Tourism, Edelman Africa team (Yolanda & Nthabiseng) and Edelman Dubai Team (Sumentha, Nish & Laraib) you ladies were amazing. Thank you for hosting us. Not forgetting Knight Tours for driving us around and taking us to all those places we visited. I bow out with respect. THANK YOU!

@KikiMarli

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